Do Germs Have Ribs?

L. W. Mayo, San Jose, California

As I write this little article I am aboard Santa Fe Train No. 61 between Fresno and Oakland, California. I am returning from the ACC Lectures.

In traveling one often has some interesting conversations with fellow travelers. I have just been talking with a devout member of the Baptist Church who is the head geologist of one of the major oil companies, and also a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a MS degree having majored in geology. Though it is quite strange to say, this man declared that he believed every word of the Bible. Having discussed a few things relative to the Bible we got around to the creation. It was then that the man stated that he believed the "Nebular Theory" and began to tell how God created man as a "one celled germ" upon the earth and that after the passing of many millions of years this germ developed into a tadpole, then a mammal and so on as the theory goes. But he emphasized the idea that man in the beginning was just a "one celled germ." Well it has never been my practice to let the other man do all the talking, so I broke in with this question. "Well sir if this is true how do you explain the statement of Genesis 1:27 which says that God created male and female on the sixth day?" To this question the scholar replied, "Of course that is right — see God made a "one celled male germ, and a one celled female germ — that's all." But, and I don't know why, I was reminded of the fact that in the second chapter of Genesis the 21st verse says "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man." So having quoted this passage I asked him to explain how it was that "one celled germs" have ribs — even a plurality of ribs. Indeed I asked, "Did God take a rib from the side of a "one celled germ" and make woman out of it?" I am quite sure that a rib from such a source would be exceedingly small. Then I pointed out to the geologist that if I had to select between believing the "Nebular Theory" and out-right infidelity that I would just be an infidel — especially so if it would make me teach that "one celled germs" have ribs. At this point the conversation closed on the Bible so I have retired to my roomette and have given you the advantage of what was said, if indeed it be of any value to you.